Thirty of those fans will be awarded Rockets season tickets with 20 more tickets to be handed out for every home game.

But the Rockets' challenge is to have more than 50 people among 18,000 at games cheering.

In its first three seasons as the Rockets' home court, Toyota Center has been a place to entertain clients, enjoy clubs and watch a game in comfort. It often has been a quiet place to study for the SATs.

But Toyota Center has not offered a home-court advantage, with the problem so great that Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy is buying and giving away tickets to ensure there will be at least 50 fans in the building cheering.

The team's play is the greatest factor in improving the atmosphere. If the Rockets play better, they will generate more excitement and a greater home-court advantage. Greater home-court advantage will help them play better.

But the Rockets have come to believe they can take steps, starting with today's, to turn the equation around by creating a better environment. The event begins at 9 a.m., with the rowdiest fans getting season tickets.

"The lack of atmosphere has had a telling, negative impact on how we played," Van Gundy said. "It's chicken or the egg, which comes first. Does the quiet atmosphere produce poor play or poor play produce a quiet atmosphere?

"Any time you have a problem, you try to confront it. As bad a team as we were last year, we won 19 on the road, which should put you in the mid-40s or low 40s (for wins, overall). Instead of complaining about it, we have to do something about it. We have to play better."

In the three seasons in Toyota Center, the Rockets are 68-55 at home, 62-61 on the road.

"The first thing we have to do to get a better home-court advantage here is to win," Van Gundy said. "Second, instead of complaining about it again, try to do something about it. That's what spurred the idea."

Another 10 fans will be selected before each game with 10 more fans to be invited to upgrade to those seats.

Van Gundy hopes players will offer similar purchases and giveaways and that other fans will be influenced by the sections of "rowdy" fans.

To that end, the Rockets hope to change much of their game presentation to emphasize "involving" rather than merely "entertaining" fans.

"Everything will be geared toward generating support for the team," said John Dillon, Rockets vice president for marketing. "An increase in excitement in the arena will increase home-court advantage and improve the fan experience."

The Rockets also are shortening the floor and removing much of the media, statisticians and broadcasting seats. Those changes are largely to have more prime seats to sell, but the Rockets also hope to have fans closer to the baselines and courtside, which will allow them to have more of an impact on the game.

But even with an influx of fans willing to cheer, the most important step would seem to be giving them something worth cheering.